The Chronicle uses ModernThink LLC, a human capital consulting firm, to conduct surveys of employees at participating institutions. For the 2011 survey, 310 institutions took part, and 43,967 administrators, faculty members and professional support staff members took the survey, according to the Chronicle. Of the institutions that participated, 111 colleges and universities made the list.

“We strive to make the university a good place for all of our employees to work,” Provost Phil Hanlon says. “Faculty and staff across the campus contribute to this effort every day. It’s terrific to see their work recognized yet again this year by The Chronicle of Higher Education’s annual survey on great places to work.”

The survey results are based on a two-part assessment process: an institutional audit that captured demographics and workplace policies from each institution, and a survey administered to faculty, administrators, and professional support staff. The primary factor in deciding whether an institution received recognition was the employee feedback.

“The fact that participation in Great Colleges to Work For continues to grow in spite of the difficult economic environment is evidence of the growing importance of and commitment to workplace quality in the world of higher education,” writes Richard Boyer, principal and managing partner, ModernThink LLC.

“Just like colleges market to recruit students, they now are realizing they need to do more to attract quality employees,” says Jeffrey Selingo, The Chronicle’s editor. “The Great Colleges to Work For survey is meant to help both employers and potential employees by giving them vital information about workplaces.”